All Five Living Wyoming Governors attended Sen. Lester Hunt's 70th Anniversary Remembrance
On Wednesday, June 19th, the 70th anniversary of Senator Lester Hunt’s death by suicide, two events commemorating the senator were held in Cheyenne.
Press Release: Lester Hunt portrait display June 19th, Wyoming Capitol Rotunda
Symbolically returning Lester C. Hunt’s spirit to the Wyoming Capitol, the official portrait of Governor Hunt will be displayed in the Rotunda from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 19th, the 70th anniversary of his death.
Joan Barron: A Timely Tribute to a Beleaguered Politician
The June 8, 2024, Cowboy State Daily featured an op-ed by renowned Wyoming political columnist Joan Barron, who shared information about Lester Hunt and tied it to similarities in today’s Wyoming. From Joan’s column:
“But his downfall also was fueled by Hunt’s suicide which was not much publicized at the time but the U.S. Senate knew all about it.
McCarthy was dead meat. He was censured by the Senate and defeated by Wisconsin voters. He died three years later of chronic alcoholism.
The McCarthy era was the result of fear. And I think fear is what is driving many people today, particularly the MAGA crowd.
They fear the culture is changing, changing too fast and they are being left behind.
The Hunt story and memorial is important; it reminds us what can happen when a demagogue gains power.
Lester Hunt Life and Legacy- Live Panel with Wyoming Public Media
Join us Thursday, June 13 at 12 p.m. on Wyoming Public Media’s Facebook page for a Facebook Live event.
Wyoming Public Radio will host a panel discussion about Senator Lester Hunt’s life and legacy, considering the parallels between Hunt’s lifetime and today.
Our panelists include:
- Rodger McDaniel, former state legislator and author of “Dying for Joe McCarthy's Sins: The Suicide of Wyoming Senator Lester Hunt”
- Leslie Waggener, Simpson Archivist at the American Heritage Center
- Andi Summerville, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers
- Senator Cale Case, current state legislator representing Senate District 25
We will reserve time at the end for audience questions for our panelists.
Come to the Wyoming Public Media Facebook page at the appointed time to join in.
Casper Event: Lester’s Legacy: Lessons from an Era of Fear
Join us on Sunday, June 9th at 9 AM at Art 321, 321 W. Midwest, Casper, for a compelling community conversation and panel discussion as we reflect on the life and tragic end of Wyoming’s U.S. Senator Lester Hunt, a steadfast voice of reason during the fearful politics of the 1950s. We will explore this story as an example of the devastating impact of McCarthyism on LGBTQ+ people and their families and examine the political fear-mongering of the day in relation to our modern context. Hosted by Casper Pride.
Healing Service to Commemorate Lester Hunt
On Wednesday, June 19th, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1908 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, will host a healing service that will focus on the issue of suicide. Senator Lester Hunt died tragically by suicide on this day in 1954 after being bullied and extorted by Senator Joseph McCarthy and others for political gain.
Watch the May 28th Presentation at Lander’s Pioneer Museum
On Tuesday evening, Lander’s Pioneer Museum hosted a Lester Hunt commemorative event titled Lander’s Governor- Lester Hunt: Blackmail and Suicide.
Senator Cale Case and Author of "Dying of Joe McCarthy's Sins: The Suicide of Wyoming Senator Lester Hunt" Roger McDaniel talk about the life and legacy of Lester Hunt.